Which Grand Cherokee does Edmunds recommend?

While we'd like to recommend that everyone get the fire-breathing 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, we realize it's not very practical. So instead we'd opt for the off-road-oriented Trailhawk. A big part of the Grand Cherokee's appeal is its off-road ability, and the Trailhawk puts it all together in one well-equipped version. Of the three available engines, the V8 provides the best mix of power and affordability.

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

7.2 / 10

The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León never found the mythical fountain of youth. But he would have been impressed with the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Although it's part of the current generation that debuted way back in 2011, this year's Grand Cherokee is still one of the better picks for a five-passenger midsize SUV.

A big reason is model diversity. It is available in seven trim levels and offers a myriad of options available at each trim level. You want a basic but still relatively well-equipped version of the Grand Cherokee for a reasonable price? Jeep's got you covered. Or how about a fully loaded luxury family hauler? No problem there either.

As expected, the Grand Cherokee is also one of the best off-roading SUVs around. You can equip it with one of the off-road suspension packages or just upgrade to the Trailhawk version. If on-road performance is your thing, Jeep has the brutish SRT and 707-horsepower Trackhawk variants on tap.

What connects all these varying Grand Cherokee models is impressive interior quality and solid foundation of utility. So whether you're looking to go off the beaten path, burn up all four tires on a drag strip, or just take the kids to school in comfort, there's probably a Jeep Grand Cherokee for you.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurations

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a five-passenger midsize SUV that comes in seven trim levels: Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit,SRT and Trackhawk. Most Grand Cherokees are available with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), the Trailhawk is 4WD only and the SRT and the Trackhawk get specialized all-wheel-drive systems.

If you're looking for more creature comforts, then check out the Limited trim level. On Limited and above, you can go with the standard V6 or you can opt for the optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (240 hp, 420 lb-ft of torque) or a 5.7-liter V8 (360 hp, 390 lb-ft). The Limited builds on the Laredo's standard equipment with 18-inch wheels, remote start, auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirrors, a power liftgate, a 115-volt power outlet, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats and driver-seat memory settings.

The off-road-oriented Trailhawk trim level is our choice for the Grand Cherokee. On top of the Limited trim, it adds unique exterior styling flourishes, different 18-inch wheels with off-road tires, four-wheel drive with low-range gearing (Quadra-Trac II), and an electronic rear differential that works with a terrain-selectable traction control system (Quadra-Drive II).

The Trailhawk also has an adjustable air suspension (Quadra-Lift) with increased suspension travel and other Trailhawk-specific tuning, hill ascent and descent control, underbody skid plates, and an upgraded instrument cluster display with exclusive off-road features and a few extra features from the Limited's options list.

Next in the Grand Cherokee lineup is the Overland. It forgoes some of the Trailhawk's specific off-road upgrades but is otherwise similarly equipped.

A bit out of the standard structure is the high-horsepower SRT trim level. It is broadly equipped like the Summit trim level with a few distinctions. Unique standard equipment includes a 6.4-liter V8 (475 hp, 470 lb-ft), a specialized all-wheel-drive system (tuned more for high-performance driving than off-road use), 20-inch wheels with performance tires, an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, sport-tuned steering and brakes, a sport body kit, a limited-slip rear differential and selectable performance modes.

Even further down the high-performance rabbit hole, there's the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The Trackhawk gets most of the SRT's standard equipment plus the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (707 hp, 645 lb-ft), an upgraded eight-speed transmission, an upgraded adaptive suspension and Brembo brakes, more aggressive-looking bodywork, and lightweight 20-inch wheels with high-performance tires. The Trackhawk also receives some unique interior design cues and upgraded upholstery to set it apart from the group.

Many of the higher trims' standard convenience and luxury-oriented features are offered on lesser models as options or through packages. Quite a few aesthetic upgrades are available as well, depending on trim level.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit (3.6L V6 | 8-speed automatic | 4WD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Grand Cherokee has received some revisions, including the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Grand Cherokee, however.

Driving

7.0

The standard V6 in the Grand Cherokee isn't exciting, but it's acceptable. The biggest problem is the Grand Cherokee's significant weight, which negatively affects acceleration, handling and overall drivability.

Acceleration

7.0

The Summit we tested covered 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds, which is pretty slow for the segment. The V8 is thirstier but is better suited for getting the Grand Cherokee's substantial mass moving quickly.

Braking

6.5

The brake pedal has a long action, which takes some getting used to, but ultimately the brakes are easy to control. In Edmunds testing, a stop from 60 mph took 124 feet, which is respectable for a midsize SUV.

Steering

6.0

The steering wheel feels hefty in your hands, and the high amount of power assist facilitates maneuvering the Grand Cherokee around in parking lots. But there's little road feel coming through the steering wheel, which makes it hard to judge how much grip the tires have.

Handling

6.0

Around turns, the Grand Cherokee feels lethargic and heavy. The optional air suspension helps improve stability, but there is only so much it can do with managing the significant weight of this vehicle.

Drivability

7.5

The gas pedal is a little slow to respond, but overall the Grand Cherokee is easy to drive. The automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Because of the Grand Cherokee's significant heft, though, you'll need to stay in a lower gear on long uphill grades.

Off-road

7.5

The Summit has the lowest-hanging front fascia in the Grand Cherokee lineup. Get the Trailhawk if off-roading is your game. That said, the height-adjustable air suspension does increase the available clearance. The Quadra-Trac II system is standard on Summit 4WD and includes an electronic limited-slip differential.

Comfort

7.0

The Grand Cherokee is quiet to the point that it's almost serene. We also like the front seats and the quick-acting climate system. But the heated and ventilated seats aren't very effective. The ride quality is also a little disappointing.

Seat comfort

8.0

The front seats are wide and have supportive yet comfortable padding. The armrests are well-padded, too. In back, the rear seatbacks recline, and the middle seat is livable for adults on short trips.

Ride comfort

6.0

Our test vehicle had the air suspension and had a somewhat floaty ride on the highway. It also struggled to soak up smaller pavement ripples, allowing significant vibration into the cabin, and was upset when driving over midcorner bumps. The standard suspension might be a better choice.

Noise & vibration

8.0

The base V6 is nicely muted thanks to extensive sound deadening. At full throttle, there's a bit of a rumble from under the hood that is neither annoying nor particularly satisfying. Wind noise is minimal. Overall, this is an impressively quiet SUV.

Climate control

6.0

The climate control system works well. There are large buttons on the dash to control temperature zones, but several functions are hidden in the touchscreen menu. The heated and ventilated seats work OK but not very quickly.

Interior

7.5

The Grand Cherokee has plenty of interior space and a thoughtfully designed cabin. It's easy to get in and out of, too. Drivers have an appropriately commanding view of the road.

Ease of use

7.0

There are large, grippy knobs for the stereo and climate controls. The steering wheel is a bit crowded with buttons, though, and getting some climate control functions to work requires multiple actions on the touchscreen.

Getting in/getting out

7.5

The wide-opening front doors help with entry and exit. The rear doors also open wide, though the rear wheelwells and wide doorsills compromise the opening. The Grand Cherokee's step-in height is higher than average, but the optional air suspension can lower the vehicle when parked.

Driving position

7.0

While the driver's seat is positioned relatively high, there's lots of adjustability. Drivers of most heights should have no problem getting comfortable. The steering wheel has a decent amount of telescopic range as well.

Roominess

8.5

Despite the Grand Cherokee's high seating position, there's still generous headroom up front. Elbow room and kneeroom are good, too. It's a similar story in back. Adults should have no problem stretching out.

Visibility

8.0

The windshield pillars are fairly long and thick, hampering your view. The rearward roof pillars are less intrusive. The tall side windows help out with making lane changes.

Utility

The Grand Cherokee's cargo volume is nothing special among SUVs, mostly due to the full-size spare tire under the rear floor. Interior storage space for your personal items is also lacking.

Small-item storage

6.5

Small-item storage is limited to a small center console, can-size cupholders in both the front and rear seats, and slender door pockets at all four doors. We'd like a bit more space on the inside of a big family SUV.

Cargo space

7.0

The Grand Cherokee isn't as large inside as some rivals because it carries a full-size spare under the floor. Its 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space is sufficient, but you'll find more space in many rival SUVs.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

The rear-seat LATCH anchors are well-marked and easy to get to without rooting around in the cushions. There's generally a good bit of space, but tall front occupants may have to scoot forward a bit or go easy on the recliner before a rear-facing seat can be installed.

Towing

8.0

Grand Cherokees with the V6 can tow up to 6,200 pounds, which is good for the class. For more towing power, get one of the optional V8s that increase the maximum tow rating to 7,400 pounds.

Technology

7.0

Some of the Grand Cherokee's technology features might seem dated. But it includes one of our favorite infotainment interfaces on the market, Uconnect, which is relatively intuitive.

Audio & navigation

7.0

The touchscreen has a simple menu structure, and the screen is easy to read. The audio quality from the optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system is high, if a bit bass-heavy.

Smartphone integration

6.5

When it works, the Uconnect is one of the most user-friendly systems on the market. We had some connection problems with the system in our test vehicle, though. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now included.

Driver aids

7.0

The adaptive cruise control's operation leaves a bit to be desired, as does blind-spot warning — both of which are a little bit too sensitive for our tastes.

Voice control

8.0

Voice commands for navigation and audio are simple to execute thanks to multiple easy-to-understand instructions on the screen. It never took more than a few inputs for the system to understand what we wanted.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. the competition

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2019 Dodge Durango

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are very similar. They share a platform and generally have the same engines. Go with the Durango if you want a third-row seat and greater cargo space. When it comes to off-road superiority, though, the Grand Cherokee still wins.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. GMC Acadia

If you're looking for a luxurious SUV with plenty of space for your family, you may want to consider the GMC Acadia. The GMC doesn't offer much in the way of off-road capability or high-horsepower thrills, but it does have a quiet ride, a well-equipped interior, and lots of available tech features.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is probably the Grand Cherokee's stiffest competition when it comes to off-road capability. The 4Runner has multiple off-road-oriented trims, including the TRD Pro and the TRD Off-Road. With both models, there are lots of factory options to choose from.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for Sale

Here it is! Hurry and take advantage now! How about this great vehicle! Feature-packed and decked out! Top features include front dual zone air conditioning, a trip computer, a blind spot monitoring system, and power seats. Under the hood you'll find an 8 cylinder engine with more than 400 horsepower, providing a smooth and predictable driving experience. Well tuned suspension and stability control deliver a spirited, yet composed, ride and drive You will have a pleasant shopping experience that is fun, informative, and never high pressured. Please don't hesitate to give us a call.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Overview

What do people think of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for
the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and all its trim types.
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Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what
other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database.
Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior,
exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a
comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2019 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on new cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks are available in my area?

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Should I lease or buy a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you
that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make
higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand,
can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a
new car every three years or so.